Another attraction is closing for good this week in Disney World!
The Boneyard
While it may not be the most popular attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we are still sad to see it go, and we know many kids (and adults!) will miss it. We have definitely spent hours exploring this area, and we can’t believe it will soon be closed forever.
The Boneyard will permanently close in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on September 2nd, 2025. This is the next phase of closures for the Pueblo Esperanza expansion. If you want one last chance to explore this play area, make sure you stop by before September 2nd. Let’s take a look at the other attractions and locations that will be closed this week, from August 30th through September 6th, at Disney World.
EPCOT
Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth has been closed for routine refurbishment since August 25th, 2025. While it will only be a temporary closure as the attraction is expected to reopen later this year, it will still be a few months or so without Spaceship Earth.
A closed Spaceship Earth
We aren’t expecting any major changes to the attraction, just general maintenance and routine work. During this time, the Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future exhibit will be closed, as well. It is definitely going to be sad experiencing the start of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival without being able to ride Spaceship Earth, though.
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Magic Kingdom
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
A popular Tomorrowland attraction is now closed! Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has closed for refurbishment as of August 4th, 2025, and isn’t expected to reopen until 2026. While the ride is closed, it will be getting some upgrades!
Closed for Refurbishment
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be getting a new ride scene, new ride vehicles, a new character, and enhanced gameplay elements. Some of those gameplay elements include handheld blasters (soon you can shoot whenever you want!) and reactive targets. We recently got the chance to take a look at the new ride vehicle and test out the new blasters, and we have to say we were impressed!
Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island
An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square River Boat and Tom Sawyer Island, are closed for good to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak National Park. There are some construction walls up in the area now, and we have seen workers on Tom Sawyer Island. The river has also started to be drained!
Rivers of America
Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of Magic Kingdom, and construction is expected to begin in the area this year. Disney has not yet released an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know that it will feature two brand-new attractions and will be themed to look like a National Park.
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
On January 6th, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for an extended temporary closure. The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” will be closed for at least a year and will reopen sometime in 2026. The ride will be undergoing maintenance while it is closed. When it reopens, it will have some “new magic,” according to Disney.
©Disney
Recently, Disney announced some of the new magic! Riders will see “spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling)” — the Rainbow Caverns! We can’t wait to see what other changes might be coming to this ever-popular roller coaster! We have spotted some ride testing happening, which was very exciting, and a train car has arrived! It was still covered in a tarp, but it was exciting to see.
Tortuga Tavern
Tortuga Tavern is a seasonal restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It has been a bit since we saw it open. Most recently, it was used as a cookie location for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Tortuga Tavern
We had previously spotted shrubs around the restaurant as they worked on the flooring. However, all the shrubs have been taken down now. We don’t know exactly when/if this restaurant will reopen, but we will keep you updated if we learn more!
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom
TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Fossil Fun Games, and The Boneyard
The first round of closures began in DinoLand U.S.A. on January 13th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Game were closed down, and construction has begun on the brand-new land themed to the Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza. The Boneyard will be permanently closing on September 2nd.
DinoLand Construction
It is definitely a sad sight, but we are also excited to see Pueblo Esperanza! DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, and the snack stands. Disney hasn’t announced an official closing date for the rest of DinoLand. However, they have announced that “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!”
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
It’s Tough to Be a Bug is closed for good. This attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom once invited you to join the bug kingdom on an adventure. While the show didn’t usually make it to the top of favorite attractions in Disney World, it has now closed to make way for a new show.
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
It’s Tough to Be a Bug closed on March 17th to make way for a brand-new show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”, expected to debut on November 7th, 2025. The show begins when you arrive at the main stage just in time for Zoogether Day festivities, where you’ll spot some new and familiar faces, including Heidi Howler, a wolf who hosts the Zoogether Day LIVE! broadcast.
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Muppet*Vision 3D AND PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off so construction can begin on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th.
Muppets Courtyard behind walls
Don’t worry, the Muppets won’t be missing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios forever. The Muppets will eventually be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in 2026.
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Disney World Hotels
Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk
Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk.
Jellyrolls
However, this isn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as the bar has said they are “making a move.” We don’t know many details about that move yet, but we will keep you updated.
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Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and determine which works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. They also share expert tips and first-hand advice about your magical vacation.
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Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides:
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- What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride
- 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU!
- A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World!
- The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride
We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB.
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The Bone Yard saved a vacation for my family. We went to the park it was our 3rd full day, the adults were dragging the grandkids had the energy of the under 9 set. I know you know. Grandma took the boys to The Bone Yard and sat in the shade by the only gate out and let them run and play and be kids. My kids, parents to these delightful children went to a shady place sat down and fell asleep for an hour. I watched as the boys helped smaller kids up the stairs to the slides, teamed up with kids their own age to do things returning to me for water from their refillable water jugs. This along side with my middle grandson saying something truly accurate and innocently pointing it out( 6 year old boy noticing a male animal and pointing it out) on the Safari will be my favorite memories from that day….